On august 2011 · ESPN
Enlarge Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has told Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar that he is still in the first-team picture at Villa Park.
Rangers had a £2 million bid accepted for Cuellar earlier in the summer, but the 29-year-old could not agree personal terms with the SPL champions, who he left for Villa in 2008.
The Gers' failure to qualify for the Champions League, a severe financial impediment, is thought to have scuppered any chances of the move being completed.
Cuellar is set to miss the first month of the season as he completes his recovery from a knee injury, but should play some part for McLeish's side before his contract expires in summer 2012.
And despite the fact he will face stiff competition for a place from the likes of James Collins, Richard Dunne and Ciaran Clark, McLeish expects Cuellar to shine.
"As far as we're concerned he's a Villa player," McLeish said in the Sun. "Carlos certainly knows how to defend, he's terrific."
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